Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42327282›Full record

ArticlebioRxiv : the preprint server for biology2026

Charting Cervical Spinal Cord Morphometry Across the Lifespan.

Kurt G Schilling, Michael E Kim, Matthew Amandola, Chenyu Gao, Karthik Ramadass, Praitayini Kanakaraj, Sam Bogdanov, Gaurav Rudravaram, Nancy R Newlin, Derek Archer and 31 more

Abstract readPreprint
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

41 authors.

Kurt G SchillingVanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-3686-7645
Michael E KimVanderbilt University, Department of Computer Science, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0009-0006-3562-2688
Matthew AmandolaVanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0009-0005-3445-6326
Chenyu GaoVanderbilt University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nashville, TN, USA.
Karthik RamadassVanderbilt University, Department of Computer Science, Nashville, TN, USA.
Praitayini KanakarajVanderbilt University, Department of Computer Science, Nashville, TN, USA.
Sam BogdanovVanderbilt University, Medical Scientist Training Program, Nashville, TN, USA.
Gaurav RudravaramVanderbilt University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nashville, TN, USA.
Nancy R NewlinVanderbilt University, Department of Computer Science, Nashville, TN, USA.
Derek ArcherVanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Timothy J HohmanVanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Angela L JeffersonVanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Victoria L MorganVanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-8263-2324
Alexandra RocheVanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, TN, USA.
Dario J EnglotVanderbilt University, Department of Computer Science, Nashville, TN, USA.
Murat BilgelLaboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-5042-7422
Lori L Beason HeldLaboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-9057-6270
Luigi FerrucciLaboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Laurie CuttingVanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA.
Laura A BarqueroPeabody College of Education and Human Development, Department of Special Education, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-4279-3745
Micah A D'archangelPeabody College of Education and Human Development, Department of Special Education, Nashville, TN, USA.
Tin Q NguyenVanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA.
Kathryn L HumphreysVanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-5715-6597
Yanbin NiuVanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0009-0005-1199-4033
Sophia Vinci-BooherVanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-3626-146X
Carissa J CascioUniversity of Kansas, Life Span Institute and Department of Psychology, Lawrence, KS, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-9560-9203
HABS-HD Study Team
Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
BIOCARD Study Team
Zhiyuan LiDepartment of Computer Science, Park University, Parkville, MO, USA.
Daniel MoyerVanderbilt University, Department of Computer Science, Nashville, TN, USA.
Simon N VandekarVanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Biostatistics, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-7457-9073
Panpan ZhangVanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Samuelle St-OngeNeuroPoly Lab, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-7572-8504
Sandrine BédardNeuroPoly Lab, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Jan ValošekSpinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Benjamin De LeenerNeuroPoly Lab, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-1378-2756
Julien Cohen-AdadNeuroPoly Lab, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-3662-9532
John C GoreVanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-9480-0900
Seth SmithVanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, TN, USA.
Bennett A LandmanVanderbilt University, Department of Computer Science, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-5733-2127

Funding

The Health & Aging Brain Study - Health Disparities (HABS-HD)U19AG078109 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR · PI LEIGH A JOHNSON · 2022 to 2026
$181.1M
Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (VICTR) -Identifying correlates of functional immunity in SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasmaUL1TR002243 · NCATS · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · PI Paul A. Harris, Wesley H Self · 2017 to 2026
$130.7M
Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative - SupplementU01AG024904 · NIA · NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE RES &EDUC · PI WEINER, MICHAEL W · 2004 to 2015
$121.0M
Technology and Remote Assessment CoreU19AG063911 · NIA · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · PI Bradley F Boeve · 2019 to 2026
$120.9M
Early Onset AD Consortium - the LEAD Study (LEADS)U01AG057195 · NIA · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · PI APOSTOLOVA, LIANA G, CARRILLO, MARIA C · 2018 to 2023
$70.3M
Smartphone-Based "Burst" Cognitive AssessmentsP01AG003991 · NIA · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · PI JOHN MORRIS · 1985 to 2026
$69.5M
The Clinical Significance of Incidental White Matter Lesions on MRI Amongst a Diverse Population with Cognitive Complaints (INDEED)U19NS120384 · NINDS · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · PI Kumar B. Rajan · 2020 to 2026
$61.9M
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF INTRA-NASAL INSULIN DETEMIRP50AG005136 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · PI GRABOWSKI, THOMAS J. · 1985 to 2019
$57.2M
ABCD-USA Consortium: Coordinating CenterU24DA041147 · NIDA · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · PI SANDRA A BROWN, TERRY L. JERNIGAN · 2015 to 2026
$54.7M
Project 2 MeasurementU19AG033655 · NIA · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · PI JUAN TRONCOSO · 2014 to 2026
$51.5M
ABCD-USA Consortium: Data Analysis, Informatics and Resource CenterU24DA041123 · NIDA · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · PI ANDERS M DALE · 2015 to 2026
$51.5M
The natural history of AB accumulation in preclinical ADP01AG026276 · NIA · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · PI MORRIS, JOHN · 2005 to 2025
$49.5M
NCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR000445NCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR000448NCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR002243NCRR NIH HHS U24 RR021382NIA NIH HHS K01 AG073584NIA NIH HHS K24 AG046373NIA NIH HHS P01 AG003991NIA NIH HHS P01 AG026276NIA NIH HHS P20 AG068024NIA NIH HHS P20 AG068053NIA NIH HHS P20 AG068077NIA NIH HHS P20 AG068082NIA NIH HHS P30 AG008017NIA NIH HHS P30 AG010129NIA NIH HHS P30 AG010133NIA NIH HHS P30 AG010161NIA NIH HHS P30 AG013846NIA NIH HHS P30 AG013854NIA NIH HHS P30 AG019610NIA NIH HHS P30 AG035982NIA NIH HHS P30 AG053760NIA NIH HHS P30 AG062421NIA NIH HHS P30 AG062422NIA NIH HHS P30 AG062428NIA NIH HHS P30 AG062429NIA NIH HHS P30 AG062677NIA NIH HHS P30 AG062715NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066444NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066462NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066468NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066506NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066507NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066508NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066509NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066511NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066512NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066514NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066515NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066518NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066519NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066530NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066546NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072931NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072946NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072947NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072958NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072959NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072972NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072973NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072975NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072976NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072977NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072978NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072979NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072980NIA NIH HHS P50 AG005133NIA NIH HHS P50 AG005136NIA NIH HHS P50 AG005142NIA NIH HHS P50 AG008702NIA NIH HHS P50 AG016573NIA NIH HHS P50 AG016574NIA NIH HHS P50 AG033514NIA NIH HHS P50 AG047266NIA NIH HHS P50 AG047270NIA NIH HHS P50 AG047366NIA NIH HHS R01 AG015819NIA NIH HHS R01 AG017917NIA NIH HHS R01 AG019771NIA NIH HHS R01 AG021155NIA NIH HHS R01 AG021910NIA NIH HHS R01 AG022018NIA NIH HHS R01 AG034962NIA NIH HHS R01 AG037639NIA NIH HHS R01 AG043434NIA NIH HHS R01 AG045571NIA NIH HHS R01 AG052560NIA NIH HHS R01 AG053509NIA NIH HHS R01 AG053993NIA NIH HHS R01 AG054047NIA NIH HHS R01 AG054073NIA NIH HHS R01 AG054110NIA NIH HHS R01 AG055005NIA NIH HHS R01 AG056031NIA NIH HHS R01 AG056258NIA NIH HHS R01 AG056405NIA NIH HHS R01 AG056531NIA NIH HHS R01 AG056534NIA NIH HHS R01 AG058533NIA NIH HHS R01 AG058724NIA NIH HHS R01 AG059716NIA NIH HHS R01 AG061788NIA NIH HHS R01 AG062276NIA NIH HHS R01 AG062826NIA NIH HHS R01 AG064233NIA NIH HHS R01 AG067482NIA NIH HHS R01 AG067781NIA NIH HHS R01 AG068338NIA NIH HHS R01 AG069453NIA NIH HHS R01 AG070862NIA NIH HHS R01 AG073235NIA NIH HHS R01 AG077444NIA NIH HHS R01 AG079280NIA NIH HHS R35 AG072262NIA NIH HHS R56 AG037639NIA NIH HHS R56 AG045571NIA NIH HHS R56 AG074321NIA NIH HHS RF1 AG054047NIA NIH HHS U01 AG024904NIA NIH HHS U01 AG033655NIA NIH HHS U01 AG057195NIA NIH HHS U01 AG068057NIA NIH HHS U19 AG033655NIA NIH HHS U19 AG063911NIA NIH HHS U19 AG073153NIA NIH HHS U19 AG078109NIA NIH HHS U24 AG067418NIA NIH HHS U24 AG072122NIA NIH HHS U24 AG074855NIBIB NIH HHS K01 EB032898NIBIB NIH HHS P41 EB015922NIBIB NIH HHS R01 EB009352NIBIB NIH HHS R01 EB017230NICHD NIH HHS F31 HD104385NICHD NIH HHS P50 HD103537NICHD NIH HHS R01 HD044073NICHD NIH HHS R01 HD067254NICHD NIH HHS R01 HD089474NICHD NIH HHS R01 HD109151NICHD NIH HHS R01 HD114489NICHD NIH HHS R37 HD095519NIDA NIH HHS RC2 DA029475NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041022NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041025NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041028NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041048NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041089NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041093NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041106NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041117NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041120NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041134NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041148NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041156NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA041174NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA050987NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA050988NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA050989NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA051016NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA051018NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA051037NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA051038NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA051039NIDA NIH HHS U24 DA041123NIDA NIH HHS U24 DA041147NIDCD NIH HHS R01 DC008552NIGMS NIH HHS T32 GM007347NIGMS NIH HHS T32 GM152284NIH HHS S10 OD020154NIH HHS S10 OD021771NIH HHS S10 OD023680NIH HHS S10 OD026738NIMH NIH HHS K01 MH090232NIMH NIH HHS P50 MH071616NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH077851NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH077852NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH077862NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH077945NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH078113NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH102272NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH103366NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH103368NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH129634NIMH NIH HHS R21 MH101321NINDS NIH HHS P30 NS098577NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS049096NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS075075NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS108445NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS110130NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS112252NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS134625NINDS NIH HHS U19 NS120384NINDS NIH HHS UH2 NS100599NINDS NIH HHS UH3 NS100599RRD VA I01 RX001534RRD VA I21 RX001381
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Spinal cord morphometry provides essential biomarkers of neurological health, but clinical interpretations are confounded by inter-subject variability and a lack of normative references across the full human lifespan. We address this gap by generating the first comprehensive lifespan charts for cervical spinal cord morphometry. We leveraged 30 population-based brain MRI datasets, aggregating 78,269 scans from 41,042 individuals (ages 0-100) whose imaging protocols included cervical cord coverage. To overcome contrast variability, we employed a state-of-the-art contrast-agnostic deep learning segmentation method, extracting cross-sectional area (CSA), anteroposterior (AP) and right-left (RL/transverse), and shape indices (compression ratio, eccentricity, and solidity) from C1 to C7. Normative trajectories were modeled using Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS). The resulting charts reveal distinct non-linear lifespan changes: rapid growth through childhood and adolescence, peak maturation occurring in early-to-mid adulthood (e.g., mid-30s for CSA), followed by gradual decreases. Significant regional variations along the cervical cord and consistent sex differences (males > females for size metrics) were quantified. Spinal cord trajectories showed strong temporal coupling with brain white matter and brainstem volumes, suggesting integrated CNS development and aging. These lifespan charts provide a robust normative framework, enabling age- and sex-specific centile scoring of individual spinal cord morphometry. This resource offers a critical tool for differentiating typical variation from pathological changes, enhancing the clinical utility of spinal cord MRI in studies of development and neurodegeneration.

Identifiers

PMID42327282
PMCPMC13277863

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